Rich Mountain Rendezvous, Mena, AR Sept. 20-22, 2013 • Rich Mountain Rendezvous, Mena, AR Sept. 20-22, 2013 • USCA Sidecar Forum • United Sidecar Association %

#1 · May 26, 2013, 11:02 pm

Quote from SwampFox on May 26, 2013, 11:02 pm
All sidecarists and friends are invited to join us at the Rich Mountain Rendezvous scheduled for September 20-22, 2013 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park on the Talimena Scenic Drive near Mena, Arkansas, home of some great riding, both on-pavement and off-pavement: http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/

The Rich Mountain Rendezvous is the continuation of what started in '99 as a small rally hosted by the Chain Gang, a group of enthusiasts of the F650 -- BMW's first chain drive bike, with the local CASA group (that is, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) as the rally charity. Jena and/or I have attended most all of these rallies in one form or another, the last 3 years by sidecar -- pics from the last 2 years can be found here:

2011: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9729&posts=8&start=1

2012: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10680&posts=1&start=1

In addition to great roads to explore, there is also a classic car/motorcycle collection down in Mena and the Arkansas Native Plant & Wildlife Center at the base of the mountain.

Unfortunately the Lodge is closed for renovations until Spring 2014, but there are both RV & Tent camping available on site, with motels in Mena. As long as it's not raining, this has proven to be a great time of the year to camp on Rich Mountain.

Rally host is Cynthia with the Ouachita Region CASA, but I may be able to answer general questions. Rally Registrar is Steve at drmoons@mangomoons.com or 210-392-9088.

Here is the preliminary rally info from Steve:

Come enjoy the rally fun in Mena, Arkansas, Sept 20-11, 2013. The riding is great, both paved mountain twisties and forest roads. Maps will be available. The Queen Wilhelmina State Park has clean restrooms and hot showers, RV spaces (Lodge is closed 'til Spring 2014).

The rally offers burger/weenies/chips on Friday night, catered food AND live entertainment on Saturday night - with great tunes from a local band, a message therapist, rides in vintage/classic cars, and continental breakfasts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning, wrenching, riding, t-shirts....awesome!!! Those registering early will get a $5 discount and be guaranteed a rally t-shirt. Those who register early and want to show up Thursday night will get chicken fajitas, but must let Rally Master know.

Registration, beginning Friday 9AM, is $35 per person; pre-registration is $30 and must be completed by August. Tent camping is $12.10 per night, payable at rally registration. RV spaces must be reserved through the QW office. There are motels in Mena, just 20 minutes away.

All proceeds will go to CASA of the Ouachita Region. All registrants should bring an item for the door-prize raffle. Attendees generosity has helped children of abuse and neglect in the area for many years; help continue that effort and have a great time with friends.

Contact Steve Johnson for rally registration: drmoons@mangomoons.com or 210-392-9088

Queen Wilhelmina Lodge: http://www.queenwilhelmina.com/ or (479) 394-2863

For local area lodging: http://www.mena-ark.com/lodging/

All sidecarists and friends are invited to join us at the Rich Mountain Rendezvous scheduled for September 20-22, 2013 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park on the Talimena Scenic Drive near Mena, Arkansas, home of some great riding, both on-pavement and off-pavement: http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/

The Rich Mountain Rendezvous is the continuation of what started in '99 as a small rally hosted by the Chain Gang, a group of enthusiasts of the F650 -- BMW's first chain drive bike, with the local CASA group (that is, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) as the rally charity. Jena and/or I have attended most all of these rallies in one form or another, the last 3 years by sidecar -- pics from the last 2 years can be found here:

2011: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9729&posts=8&start=1

2012: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10680&posts=1&start=1

In addition to great roads to explore, there is also a classic car/motorcycle collection down in Mena and the Arkansas Native Plant & Wildlife Center at the base of the mountain.

Unfortunately the Lodge is closed for renovations until Spring 2014, but there are both RV & Tent camping available on site, with motels in Mena. As long as it's not raining, this has proven to be a great time of the year to camp on Rich Mountain.

Rally host is Cynthia with the Ouachita Region CASA, but I may be able to answer general questions. Rally Registrar is Steve at drmoons@mangomoons.com or 210-392-9088.

Here is the preliminary rally info from Steve:

Come enjoy the rally fun in Mena, Arkansas, Sept 20-11, 2013. The riding is great, both paved mountain twisties and forest roads. Maps will be available. The Queen Wilhelmina State Park has clean restrooms and hot showers, RV spaces (Lodge is closed 'til Spring 2014).

The rally offers burger/weenies/chips on Friday night, catered food AND live entertainment on Saturday night - with great tunes from a local band, a message therapist, rides in vintage/classic cars, and continental breakfasts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning, wrenching, riding, t-shirts....awesome!!! Those registering early will get a $5 discount and be guaranteed a rally t-shirt. Those who register early and want to show up Thursday night will get chicken fajitas, but must let Rally Master know.

Registration, beginning Friday 9AM, is $35 per person; pre-registration is $30 and must be completed by August. Tent camping is $12.10 per night, payable at rally registration. RV spaces must be reserved through the QW office. There are motels in Mena, just 20 minutes away.

All proceeds will go to CASA of the Ouachita Region. All registrants should bring an item for the door-prize raffle. Attendees generosity has helped children of abuse and neglect in the area for many years; help continue that effort and have a great time with friends.

Contact Steve Johnson for rally registration: drmoons@mangomoons.com or 210-392-9088

Queen Wilhelmina Lodge: http://www.queenwilhelmina.com/ or (479) 394-2863

For local area lodging: http://www.mena-ark.com/lodging/

Lee / Summer Grove, Louisiana: Ural cT, CJ750, Burgman/Texas Ranger, Zuma 50F, MB5, TW200, CRF250L, GTV300

#2 · May 26, 2013, 11:20 pm

Another interesting place to visit in the Rich Mountain area is the Lum & Abner Jot 'Em Down Store & Museum: http://www.lum-n-abner.com/

Lee / Summer Grove, Louisiana: Ural cT, CJ750, Burgman/Texas Ranger, Zuma 50F, MB5, TW200, CRF250L, GTV300

#3 · September 29, 2013, 6:16 pm

7 of us sidecar folks made it to Rich Mountain this year. My camera soured in Friday's rain, but I did manage a few poor quality pics from a waterlogged cell phone Saturday. Here we are holding up traffic on the Two Mile Creek bridge after lunch at Lott's Country Kitchen in Hatfield -- Barry, Charlie, Avanell, J.R., James, Jena & me:

James & I visited the Mountain Fork River bridge:

And traveled along the River a ways:

Where James had a splashing good time:

And on the way home I found myself all confused as to which way to go:

Lee / Summer Grove, Louisiana: Ural cT, CJ750, Burgman/Texas Ranger, Zuma 50F, MB5, TW200, CRF250L, GTV300

#4 · September 30, 2013, 8:57 am

Jena & I, along with James & Wayne on BMW/Husky 650 2-wheelers, made our way to Rich Mountain on Friday thru a toad-strangler of a rain. All of our gear labeled waterproof failed miserably. We know the boots and gloves are waterproof -- that is, they'll hold all the water you put into 'em.

Thankfully, J.R. & Avanell were at camp withtheir RV and rescued us by putting our wet gear in the warm bath of the RV. Otherwise, it would have taken us 3 days to dry out. Good news is that Claude's trunk & storage cases on the sidecar & bike did not leak at all.

Wayne sent us a couple of pics from Friday's journey after the rain had eased a little about 20 miles from Rich Mountain. A very wet Corkie:

And a grumpy Maddie:

Lee / Summer Grove, Louisiana: Ural cT, CJ750, Burgman/Texas Ranger, Zuma 50F, MB5, TW200, CRF250L, GTV300

#5 · September 30, 2013, 7:27 pm

Thanks for the report. Always love hearing that someone is out riding. Glad you are dry now. 🙂
gail